Today we’d like to introduce you to James Carson, MD, MPH.
Dr. Carson, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
The practice was founded in partnership with HCA Houston Healthcare and my other two partners. Now the practice is made up of just myself and one partner Dr. Kaku Barkoh.
The original idea started in mid to late 2018. The hospital that I was working at was closing and I was looking for a new landing spot. I interviewed at a practice in Tomball and happened to run into a buddy and fraternity brother of mine, Dr Barkoh. We caught up and agreed that it would be great if we were able to work together one day. Fast forward some months and the opportunity was presented to us to be able to start a practice through HCA in Kingwood. There were several ups and downs during the process, but we finally officially launched on March 1, 2019 in HCA Houston Healthcare Kingwood.
We spent time pounding the pavement to get to know primary care providers in the area. I take call a lot and care for complex trauma patients in order to do more business as well. Over time we have forged a good reputation in the community and are still building.
Has it been a smooth road?
It has not been a smooth road and the road is still bumpy. I had the impending closure of my hospital, meaning I had to figure something out. In the mean time I was flying to McAllen every week for months in order to cover a hospital down there half the week to stay busy enough. After my partners and I got together and were months away from opening up in Tomball, the rug was pulled from under us. However, we persisted.
Even starting a practice in a new area is tough. Nobody knew us so we just didn’t have many referrals. We spent a lot of time hoping to book more patients. As we all know, Covid was also a big setback for all of us.
So, let’s switch gears a bit and go into the Lone Star Orthopaedic Institute story. Tell us more about the business.
The name of our practice is Lone Star Orthopaedic Institute. I am an orthopeadic surgeon. I am fellowship trained in adult reconstruction, which mainly means hip and knee replacement. Through my training I was equipped to deal with routine replacements along will all other types of issues that can come from complications and fractures involving replaced joints. I also do general orthopaedics, caring for all musculoskeletal ailments that can beset the body.
My partner, Dr Kaku Barkoh, is a fellowship trained spine surgeon who specializes in minimally invasive approaches to the spine.
We are most proud of the quality care that we provided day in and day out. What sets us apart is the specialty training that we both have received. That gives us the ability to do our chosen procedures very well. It also means that we are equipped to handle any potential complications that could arise.
How do you think the industry will change over the next decade?
The use of robotics is increasing in our field. I perform many robotic joint replacements and am trained to use the robots of all of the major implant companies. Outpatient surgeries are also up trending and we are equipped to perform many outpatient surgeries. Even surgeries that were once considered in-patient only are being done on an outpatient basis in many circles.
Contact Info:
- Address: 22999 US Hwy 59 N, Suite 210
Kingwood, TX 77339 - Website: https://lonestarorthoinstitute.com/
- Phone: 281-571-7508
- Email: boneandjointdoc1@gmail.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bone_doctor/?hl=en
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BoneAndJointDoc/
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